Fear is the destroyer

Have you ever felt that your life is being ruled by fear?

We know that the most common command in the Bible is "fear not" and I think that the reason is that fear, if not combatted, can take over. That is what the Devil wants, of course; he knows that he cannot separate us from Christ, but he will still attack us, because he wants Christians to be ineffective.

How can you combat fear?

I don't know how it is for you, but my worst times with fear are in the early hours of the morning or when I am feeling great and something happens to take away those good feelings. Doesn't that just sound like the Devil? He attacks us when we are at our weakest and he always seeks to destroy our joy.

So what can you do about it?

First of all, remember not just who you are but whose you are. You are a child of God. Paul tells us in Ephesians:

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved." (Ephesians 1:3-6)

Here is the source of our security; we are the sons of God. So whilst God might discipline us, as a loving Father would do, we can rest in the truth that He is working all things together for our good (Romans 8:28). And this was achieved through our union with Christ; a union that cannot be broken (Romans 8:38-39).

Secondly, pray without ceasing.

What you and I have to ask ourselves is whether Jesus, speaking through the apostle Paul, really meant it when he exhorted us to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). I know that there are many days when I only spend a few minutes praying; so why am I downcast, when I feel as if I am on my own in my trials? What is really interesting is that, when Paul talks about us putting on and using the armour of God, he also says "praying at all times in the Spirit."

When we pray, we need to remember that the Holy Spirit will help us in our weakness. So call on the Holy Spirit to assist you as you pray.

Thirdly, know that Christ is praying for you.

What is so encouraging with this promise is that Jesus knows exactly what we need. When I pray, I pray as someone who is born again, yes, but also as someone who has a mind affected by sin. Jesus prays for you and me perfectly.

Fear is the destroyer. It kills our joy and makes us ineffective as Christians. Praise God that we can rest in the truth of our sonship, be emboldened in the knowledge that Christ will never let us go, pray for strength and courage aided by the Holy Spirit and trust that Christ is praying for us, and all to the glory of God.